What is your role at the BSU?

I am a Research Associate working with Professor Thomas Jaki on design and analysis of adaptive randomised clinical trials.

What did you do before joining the Unit?

I joined the BSU in September 2021. Before this role I completed a PhD at the University of Bath where my research interests included survival analysis and group sequential clinical trials. Towards the end of my PhD, I undertook a summer internship at Novartis in Switzerland where my research focus was on prior elicitation in Bayesian clinical trial design.

What does a typical day in your role involve?

Currently, I am working remotely so my typical day is spent in my home office, at the computer. There are many activities which constitute towards this role, for example I may attend virtual meetings with internal and external collaborators and attend the seminars organised by the BSU. The seminars really help to broaden my research expertise and often give me ideas for solving a totally unrelated problem. My work is mainly methodological so the majority of my time is spent at a whiteboard, writing code and summarising my results in a write-up.

My favourite kind of day is one where I can spend an afternoon with a cup of tea, reading a paper and learning something new.”

What keeps you motivated?

Regular trips to Cambridge are essential for my motivation. Each time I visit I am excited to see my colleagues and the conversations that arise, even just in the corridor. I always travel home with new ideas which I will eagerly jot down during my train journey. This extends to attending conferences, where I can meet with collaborators and listen to talks on a broad range of topics. Generally, my motivation stems from completing small tasks and acknowledging their relevance in the bigger picture.

What is the best part about your job?

I love having the freedom to direct my own research. I am always encouraged to pursue problems that I find interesting and this comes with having a very supportive and encouraging group of colleagues surrounding me.”

I am very excited by travelling and so the opportunity to attend conferences and research visits are a highlight for me.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

When I’m not working, I like to participate in sports. I’m a member of my local triathlon club and my favourite part of that is sea swimming! I’m grateful for my church community and friends in Plymouth, where most activities tend to involve food.

What advice would you give to anyone considering joining the BSU?

I would advise anyone joining the BSU to take advantage of all the brilliant knowledge surrounding you. A career in research can seem daunting and competitive, but the people at the BSU are keen to share their expertise and see you flourish. This also means that you should be willing to share your ideas, no matter how unintelligent you think they could be, to get the best support available.